One hundred miles east of the Northern Garrison City in the capital of the Weiyang Dynasty, Commander Tie Gu Sheng led his army westward again.
Having annihilated the Weiyang Dynasty's eastern defenses, including tens of thousands of troops led by Blood Robe Marquis Fan Zichen, from the eastern frontier, Tie Gu Sheng had leisurely captured hundreds of cities in the eastern territory along the way.
A few days prior, upon entering the Eastern Garrison City of the Weiyang Dynasty's capital, the entire army was stationed there, weary from their prolonged campaign.
After several days of rest, Tie Gu Sheng contacted Tie Hu Zi, the chieftain of the Iron Lion Beast tribe on the northern front. They temporarily halted their westward advance towards the Weiyang Dynasty's capital. The two armies planned to advance in tandem, aiming to annihilate the Weiyang Empress's hundreds of thousands of elite imperial troops at the Northern Garrison City.
The current army advanced in a formidable manner. Fifty thousand troops had entered Weiyang, and after more than ten days, only tens of thousands of Iron Lion soldiers had been lost—a negligible amount considering the victories.
The more than four hundred thousand Iron Lion soldiers were all burly and powerful, marching with a forceful stride. Having weathered the storms of battle, the nine-ringed sabers in their hands exuded a sharp aura and surging killing intent.
Tie Gu Sheng narrowed his eyes. Although he had been suppressed and displeased by the chieftain Tie Hu Zi recently, he did not take it to heart.
He had led his army from the east. In his efforts to capture Blood Robe Marquis Fan Zichen alive, he had wasted considerable time, repeatedly missing opportune moments. Compared to the Flaming Rhinoceros, Blood Python, and Heaven Devouring Wolf tribes, the Iron Lion tribe's achievements had been greatly diminished.
As vanguard armies of the Four Ancient Desolations, their territorial advances lagged far behind those of the other three tribes.
Tie Gu Sheng frowned. News had arrived a few days ago that the Flaming Rhinoceros and Blood Python tribes, with a combined army of a million, intended to engage the allied forces of the Four Dynasties in a decisive battle. If they succeeded, the Flaming Rhinoceros and Blood Python tribes would claim even larger territories, leaving less for their Iron Lion tribe.
"Alas!"
He sighed. If not for his desire to capture Fan Zichen alive, would he have ended up like this? What a pity that such a talented general could not be utilized by the Iron Lion tribe!
"Notify the troops. We must advance towards the Northern Garrison City today!"
His voice turned cold. Since they could not assimilate humans, they would destroy them!
"Yes!"
...
"Chieftain!"
"Chieftain, something terrible has happened!"
"Something terrible has happened!"
Outside the Northern Garrison City of the Weiyang Dynasty's capital, within a military camp fifty miles away.
An Iron Lion soldier stumbled into the tent, his eyes wide with terror and his face flushed with panic, scrambling his way into the chieftain's command tent.
"What is it?"
Tie Hu Zi and five Great Heavenly Realm experts were seated in the tent. Seeing the panicked soldier, they couldn't help but frown, their expressions gradually darkening. Such panic, such recklessness.
"Chieftain, Chieftain... the Flaming Rhinoceros and Blood Python tribes..."
"What about them?"
Tie Hu Zi let out a cold laugh. What relationship did those two tribes have with their Iron Lion tribe? Although they were all part of the Ancient Desolations, they served different masters, much like the Ten Great Dynasties of the human race.
Even if the Flaming Rhinoceros and Blood Python were annihilated, it would be of no consequence to them.
"The Flaming Rhinoceros and Blood Python tribes have been wiped out by the Great Han Dynasty. The Great Han Dynasty unified the Four Dynasties yesterday!"
"What?"
"BOOM!"
Suddenly, the tent roared with commotion. Tie Hu Zi and the five Great Heavenly Realm experts leaped to their feet, their eyes filled with disbelief!
No matter how weak the Flaming Rhinoceros and Blood Python tribes were, they possessed Heavenly Realm experts. The Imperial Dynasties in the human territories had collapsed more than a hundred thousand years ago. In the last ten thousand years, when had a human ever produced a Heavenly Realm expert?
Even if humans had Heavenly Realm experts, the Flaming Rhinoceros and Blood Python tribes had numerous such individuals. How could they be defeated by humans?
And what was this "Great Han"?
The Great Han Dynasty??
When did the human race have such a force?
"Chieftain, the Blood Python army of the Tian Yue Dynasty has also been completely annihilated by the Great Han Dynasty's Azure Dragon Legion!"
"This Great Han Dynasty is truly terrifying!"
A commanding general of the Iron Lion tribe, his voice trembling slightly, spoke. A single dynasty could unify the Four Dynasties and annihilate the armies of the Flaming Rhinoceros and Blood Python!
Terrifying!
They could not afford to be careless!
"Chieftain, this Great Han Dynasty is so mysterious and powerful. We must not underestimate them. The Flaming Rhinoceros and Blood Python tribes were originally on par with our Iron Lion Beast tribe. For them to be annihilated by a single force, their strength is likely far beyond that of us vanguard armies of the Ancient Desolations!"
"We should gather our tribe's elite forces and annihilate the Weiyang Dynasty in one fell swoop. Afterwards, we can contact the Heaven Devouring Wolf tribe to the south. The two tribes joining forces will surely be able to eliminate this mysterious Great Han!"
"Chieftain, perhaps we should request aid from the Blood Feather Crane tribe?"
A Heavenly Realm expert stood up, his tone somber. Su Dan Novel Network
"Presumptuous, Tie Fan! Do you wish to destroy our Iron Lion Beast tribe!"
"The Blood Feather Cranes have Ancestor Creation residing in their tribe, and their chieftain has been bestowed the title of one of the Four Demon Ancestors by the current Blood Fiend Wasteland Lord.
"Our Iron Lion tribe is under the Wasteland Lord's command to attack the human territories. If we now request aid after delaying the Wasteland Lord's orders, can our Iron Lion tribe still stand in the Blood Spring Wasteland?"
"Enough!"
For a moment, the powerful figures in the hall fell silent, lowering their heads.
Tie Hu Zi roared immediately. Looking at the Heavenly Realm experts, he said solemnly, "Elder Tie Gu Sheng, where is he now?"
"Reporting to the Chieftain, Elder Tie Gu Sheng is leading his troops, less than a hundred miles from this location!"
"Good. Notify the entire army, let's destroy the Weiyang Dynasty first!"
They could no longer delay. The inexplicable annihilation of the Flaming Rhinoceros and Blood Python tribes on the northern front of the Cang Mu Dynasty had a profound impact on him.
Destroying the Weiyang Dynasty first and then joining forces with the Heaven Devouring Wolf tribe was the best course of action.
...
Northern Garrison City, capital of the Weiyang Dynasty.
A marquis was inspecting the city's defenses when he suddenly looked towards the Iron Lion tribe's camp to the north.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, his expression changed drastically, his pupils dilating. He saw that the Iron Lion Beast tribe's camp was now engulfed in an oppressive aura of blood and smoke, pressing towards the garrison city.
"Not good!!"
"All troops, defend!!"
"Quick!"
"Wuwuwu~~"
Alarms blared in all directions!
The forty thousand strong army of the city was clearly organized. Some climbed the city walls, drawing their bows and nocking arrows. Others stood by the city gates, dozens of men holding giant stones emitting a faint glow, bracing the gates.
On the city streets, trebuchets were lined up, each with massive stones ready to be launched.
To the east of the garrison city, Tie Gu Sheng led fifty thousand troops, also advancing towards the eastern city walls.
A million troops launched their charge in unison!!
Tie Fan stepped into the void, his anger erupting, the void roaring, and saber light flashing across the sky!
"Weiyang Empress!"
"Come forth and die!!"
Tie Fan held his nine-ringed saber and roared. Saber lights struck and tore through the void.